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FAKENHAM RACECOURSE.
Skip to Enclosures and Hospitality.
Introduction:
In 1884, the West Norfolk Hunt started an annual race meeting at East Winch, which is near Kings Lynn. This Easter Monday event was actively supported by the then Prince of Wales, later Edward the seventh.
However, the prevailing muddy conditions at East Winch made the hunt look for a more suitable venue. At length, they decided on the sandy subsoil of the current Fakenham racecourse.
The first official race meeting was staged on the current course in 1905, and apart from breaks due to the world wars, racing has been continuous ever since.
For the first twenty years of its existence, the course was used exclusively for an annual day of steeplechase racing, with the three mile event starting in fields next to the course. With the introduction of the hurdles course in 1926, racing became confined to the current circuit.
Two years after the end of the Second World War, a second fixture was introduced on Whit Monday, and this 1947 meeting, which incorporated a six race card, attracted a massive two hundred and eight runners.
After some difficult years, and to safeguard the future of the racecourse, in 1965, the new racecourse company sold some of its adjoining land to allow the construction of a caravan park and leisure complex.
With a degree of financial security, the racecourse was able to gradually expand its facilities, and in 2002, the old 1953 Grandstand was replaced by a newly constructed one million pound Grandstand development.
In the same year, and in keeping with the racecourses royal connections, the Prince of Wales succeeded Her Majesty the Queen as the patron of the racecourse, and the prince also opened the new grandstand, which was named in his honour.
Despite its proud royal connections, Fakenham has no official dress code, as the racecourse company try to create a friendly and casual atmosphere for race goers from all sections of society.
In 2008, Fakenham will stage nine race meetings during the winter national hunt programme.
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Track facts:
True to its roots, Fakenham is dedicated to national hunt racing.
The racecourse is run left handed, and is a very tight track, being only one mile in circumference.
The track has four sharp corner bends and several undulations. this combination makes the racecourse suitable for nippy, well balanced horses. Indeed, a large percentage of eventual winners take a prominent position in the early stages of a race, before going on to take victory in the latter stages. Due to the individuality of the racing circuit, it is worth following previous course winners.
The steeplechase course has six fences, laid out in the following circuit pattern: the first plain fence is situated after the winning post and towards the end of the home straight, another plain fence is located between the two sharp bends at the top of the course, there are a further two plain fences in the back straight, and then the open ditch comes between the two sharp bends at the bottom of the course, with the final plain fence being located on the bottom section of the home straight.
The only time stamina is required on the steeplechase course is in the three mile five furlong race when the course is officially designated as having soft going.
The hurdles course has four obstacles. One at the top of the course, one in the back straight, another at the bottom of the course, and the final hurdle is located on the run in.
Enclosures and hospitality:
The listings below do not include the facilities available to Annual Members, Owners and Trainers, and Corporate Guests. These can be obtained by contacting the racecourse.
Members Ticket.
Provides access to the members section of the Prince of Wales Grandstand. From these seats, race goers obtain panoramic views of the racecourse and surrounding Norfolk countryside. This includes close up views of the winning post, parade ring, and winners enclosure. The Members ticket also offers entrance into all the other public areas of the racecourse.
Three course dining can be prebooked in the grandstand restaurant. This facility can cater for up to one hundred and ten race goers, and has its own viewing balcony.
Drinks and snacks are also available in the Chase Bistro, and Members Bar.
Grandstand and Paddock Ticket.
The seating provided by this ticket gives views of the racecourse and home straight. There is also access to the parade ring and winners enclosure.
Drinks and snacks are available in the Long Bar, and Long Bar Café. There is also access to The Westen Restaurant, Westen shellfish bar, Graves hog roast, Garfield hot doughnuts, and Spuds for you.
Course Ticket.
Viewing is at trackside, either in a small grandstand, or on the running rail. It is also possible to view from certain parking areas, while possibly enjoying a car boot picnic. There is also access to the centre of the course and the parade ring.
The inner race goers can receive sustenance from the Final Furlong Bar, Graves hog roast, and Garfield hot doughnuts.
For winter attire, Binoculars & Racing Accessories Visit our Amazon shop:
Disabled facilities:
There is designated car parking for disable visitors.
There is also a viewing platform which is suitable for wheelchairs.
Fixtures:
All races at Fakenham are run under National Hunt Rules.
Friday 23 October.
Tuesday 17 November.
Monday 30 November.
TRANSPORT LINKS.
By Road:
Travelling from the north, it is best to use the A1, and then the A17. From the south, the A1065 is suggested as the best route. From the west, use the A148. Finally, from the east, the A1067 is suggested.
With the exception of the Members carpark, all parking is free.
Early arrivals secure front rank parking. In certain areas, this ensures good views of the racing action.
By Rail:
The nearest station is Sheringham, approximately seventeen miles from Fakenham. Trains to Sheringham run from Norwich.
Kings Lynn railway station is twenty two miles from Fakenham, but services are more frequent. Either way, some form of road transport will be required to reach the racecourse.
By Bus:
The First Group operate bus services throughout East Anglia, including Norwich to Fakenham.
For full details telephone 0871 200 22 33.
By Air:
Norwich airport is twenty one miles from the racecourse. Norwich airport offers domestic flights to eight United Kingdom destinations, plus a daily flight to Dublin.
Subject to prior permission, helicopters may land at the racecourse.
CONTACT DETAILS.
Address:
Fakenham Racecourse Ltd, The Racecourse, Fakenham, Norfolk, NR21 7NY.
Tel No: 0132886 23 88.
Fax no: 01328 85 59 08.
Great Phones, Great Deals only at:
ACCOMMODATION.
Titchwell Manor Hotel.
Tel No: 01485 21 02 21.
located on the beautiful North Norfolk coast, titchwell Manor Hotel offers the ideal base for
race goers attending Fakenham races. This family run hotel has 27 luxury en suite bedrooms, 13 of which are situated at ground floor level in the walled garden area. In this latter section of the hotel, dogs may stay in some of the rooms, whilst others are fully equipped for disabled use. Rooms in the main hotel retain many original Victorian features, and they also offer stunning views to the nearby golden beaches. Guests visiting Titchwell Manor are also attracted by the RSPB reserve at Titchwell, as well as championship golf courses nearby at Brancaster and Hunstanton.
Eric Snaith, the owners son and Head Chef, produces a fabulous menu using locally sourced ingredients, including; oysters, mussels, fresh crab and Lobster as well as rare breed beef and pork, much of the produce being obtained from the nearby Houghton Estate.
http://www.titchwellmanor.com/
Kings head hotel at Bircham.
Tel No: 01485 57 82 65.
Located close to Sandringham, the stylish and tasteful Kings Head Hotel at Great Bircham forms an ideal base for race goers attending Fakenham races. Recently refurbished, the hotel has 12 individually designed bedrooms, each with its own particular character. All of the bedrooms have spacious en suite facilities, king sized beds, remote controlled television, internet access, and for that extra touch, we supply a decanter of port, home made biscuits, and fresh flowers.
The air conditioned hotel restaurant, and its award winning culinary staff, take pride in serving simple but high quality dishes, many of which are based on fresh local produce. The restaurant overlooks an enclosed courtyard, and in the summer months, food can be eaten ‘al-fresco’. The hotel bar serves a full range of drinks, from locally produced real ales, through to champagnes. We also have an extensive but reasonably priced wine list, and many of the wines can be bought by the glass. Food can also be ordered at the bar, and Between June and September, an outside barbecue is available on each Sunday, (3 pm to 8 pm).
